Posted: 12th August 2010 by admin in News and Info
Sherri and I, along with ten friends and members of Novation Church, were privileged to attend Faith Community Church (House Springs, MO) last night at the invitation of the pastor, Ed Shirrell. It was an opportunity to speak to that congregation and communicate the things that are happening in and through Novation Church.
I appreciate the opportunity on two fronts. First, it is always great to get to see and talk to Pastor Shirrell and his wife. They are an inspiration as pastors and leaders. Personally, I listen to the podcasts from Faith Community Church as a part of my spiritual growth.
Also, I appreciate the opportunity because it caused me to step back and think about where we are, where we have been, and where we could and should be going. This time of introspection has caused me to be very thankful – thankful for the path God is leading us on, thankful for the people we have met and with whom we are building relationships, and thankful for the roots that God has allowed us to establish.
It was also great to have a few of our folks share what God has been doing in their lives; this has intensified my passion and desire to see God continue to work through our lives.
Posted: 8th July 2010 by David Godbout in News and Info
Earlier this week Sherri and I had a conversation with a young couple who live in a very challenging neighborhood. The discussion had to do with what we might do to see the Gospel influence the community and God reach the people.
“I can’t speak for everyone in the neighborhood, but I know that the guys on the block, they will never be interested in what the Gospel has to say,” this young man told us, “It would take them losing someone close to them before their hearts would be open.”
Later that evening we received a phone call from that couple: a 26-year-old man was stabbed to death on the corner.
We shall see if hearts open.
Posted: 7th July 2010 by David Godbout in News and Info
I have come to believe that if the enemy of our soul had his way, it would be to get us to do what is easier.
It is easier to live in the past than to live in the present.
It is easier to live in a place of security than to live in a place of risk.
It is easier to live for the moment than to live for eternity.
It is easier to live in the world than to live in the Word.
It is easier to do what I’ve always done than to do what I’ve never attempted.
But doing what is easier will never maximize the potential that lies within me and/or within the opportunities that lie before me.
My heart and my hope is to have the courage to not take the easy road.
Posted: 4th June 2010 by admin in Uncategorized
Recently Novation Church has begun the first weekly Home Gathering. This one is happening in our home on Sunday mornings, with about 15 people attending.
Although we are meeting on Sunday morning, please don’t confuse this with a traditional church service. This is a time of discipleship centered on the Scriptures in a relational environment. It is designed with the thought of multiplication in mind.
Our goal and hope is to see four such Home Gatherings begin by the end of the summer.
Posted: 3rd July 2009 by admin in News and Info
A couple of weekends ago the Benton Park Neighborhood Association held the first of two summer concerts in Benton Park. Since our home is located in the middle of the Benton Park neighborhood, we have become active in the association, volunteering to serve in whatever way necessary.
For the concert event (entitled “Blues in Benton Park”), we helped in the promotion and advertisment of the event. It was fun connecting with individuals and businesses to ask if they would be willing to display the posters to help get the word out about the concert. Everyone we talked to was more than happy to support the event.
I was amazed at the amount of work and cooperation that went into the event, from the planning, funding and preparation to the actual performance itself. It displayed the incredible amount of pride and neighborhood spirit that exists in many of the neighborhoods in South City St. Louis.
In regard to our church plant, the day of the event we set up a shade tent and gave out free bottled water and lemonade. It was a great point of contact with many people. We gave out information concerning our Monday evening Gatherings at the Mississippi Mud House. A small number of individuals that we met at the park that Saturday have attended in the two Monday evenings since the event.
Please pray with us that as we continue to interact and serve our community, the presence and purpose of Novation Church will be made known to the neighborhoods along Jefferson Avenue.
